After months of prevarication and maneuvering, the Zamfara State House of Assembly finally impeached Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, Deputy Governor of the state during plenary on Wednesday.

The end came for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain after the House received the report of the committee set up by state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, to investigate allegations of abuse of office leveled against him.

Observers of the politics of the Northwest state say the 2023 election battle line may have been drawn with the removal of Gusau from office by the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated House of Assembly.

Most likely, the impeached deputy governor will emerge as candidate of the PDP to run against Governor Bello Matawalle in the next election.

Trouble started for Gusau immediately Matawalle dumped PDP and joined the ruling APC along with majority of the state’s elected and appointed political office holders. The deputy governor declined to join the bandwagon.

Mahdi, is a son of former Minister of Defence, General Ali Gusau (rtd), said he chose to remain in PDP to honour the mandate given to the party by the Supreme Court.

“Remember how the Supreme Court brought us to power. That’s why I am thankful to God and chose to remain in the PDP. Since my father brought the party we never for once left the party. They met us in the PDP and they left us there. The PDP will seek redress in court over the desertion of its elected officials,” he said.

In spite of the crisis, Mahdi had high hopes that he will continue as deputy governor to serve the four years constitutional mandate given to him. “It’s not a new thing in Nigeria politics for governor and his deputy to belong to different political parties and complete their constitutional mandate together and I hope this too shall come to pass in Zamfara,” he said last year.But his ouster on Wednesday ended such optimism.

Last year, the state assembly made moves to impeach Mahdi on allegations of dereliction of duties and financial mismanagement. Subsequently, the PDP went to court demanding the removal of the governor; claiming Matawalle won the election under the party.

Eventually, the assembly summoned the deputy governor to appear before it on July 27 to explain why he held a rally without considering the security situation in the state and in defiance of advice of the security authority in the state. The assembly added that convening the rally in solidarity with PDP might aggravate insecurity.

Following the invitation, indications emerged that lawmakers were plotting to impeach the deputy governor for refusing to defect to APC alongside Matawalle. It was soon clear they were using his rally as a smokescreen. Not to be caught unawares, Mahdi approached the court and got an interim injection against the assembly.

Efforts towards ousting the deputy governor continued till the end of last year, including stopping his entitlements. The assembly then,  a few weeks ago, ressurected plans to impeach Gusau. Eighteen members voted for his removal.

Justice Aliyu promptly inaugurated a seven-man committee, under the chairmanship of retired Justice Tanko Soba to investigate Gusau over alleged gross misconduct. The embattled former deputy governor was removed after the panel turned in its report on Wednesday.

His party, the PDP has reacted to his sacking, calling it a travesty of justice. They noted that the case was still in the court, as such the House acted out of contempt. It accused Mattawale of being jittery over Mahdi’s  rising popularity.

Born on December 5, 1981, Gusau was until his removal, the youngest deputy governor ever in the history of the country. The last may not have been heard of the matter as he and the PDP has vowed to challenge the controversial impeachment in court.

Olori Badirat Adeyemi, estranged wife of Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, stirred controversy this week after admitting to having undergone a Brazilian b*tt lift.

Although she was in the eye of the storm last year after series of royal dilemmas she encountered, it appears she’s undeterred and is putting the past behind her.

Queen Nola as she’s fondly called, is indeed the cynosure of eyes, with her ravishing beauty, fashion sense, skin routine and composure. All over the world, many women opt to have the s3xiest bodies, at all costs,including having plastic surgery to get the shape they want.

Over time, many female celebrities have undergone cosmetic enhancement. For example, many have had their b*tts practically tripled in size. While some chalk it up to things like weight gain and getting older, others have actually owned up to inserting b*tt implants.

In 2018, actress Tonto Dike who had gone under the knife, took to Instagram to announce that she was “ready to conquer the world” after cosmetic surgery. Others like Toke Makinwa, Caroline Danjuma, Princess Shyngle, Chika Ike, Dabota Lawson, Yvonne Jegede made no pretence about their altered shape. The young and stunning mother of three Olori Badirat has joined the roll call of celebrities who have subscribed to this cultural import, after undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Read Also: Alaafin’s estranged Queen confirms surgery

She stated this during the week while responding to a troll who called her out in the comment section of her post for not being bold enough to flaunt what she acquired from her doctor.

“How long will you keep sitting down. We already know you did BBL. Stand up and flaunt what your Dr. gave you,” the follower wrote.

The former queen in reaction admitted to having undergone a Brazilian b*tt lift while pleading to be left alone.

“Madam, if it is BBL, please kindly do your own now Abi?? If I like I sit down, if I like I stand. It’s my choice and it’s my money. I paid for the BBL. Leave me alone now,” she replied.

Brazilian B*tt Lift (BBL) is a surgical procedure where a doctor transfers fat from one’s abdomen, hips, lower back, or thighs to the b*ttocks.

Checks by The Nation shows BBL began in Brazil, birthplace of aesthetic surgery and the myth of the naturally “sticky-outy” bottom, the kind seen in countless tourist board images of bikini-clad women on Copacabana beach.

In Nigeria, costing an average of $5000, BBL is the most requested procedure in Lagos. Even with the risks and complications involved, it is still on the rise as many believe that the procedure has both its pros and cons.

The idea of what defines beauty seems to be the rush for a new body. While it is understandable, the pressure is on for everyone to always look their best.

The legislator representing Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Garba-Gololo is caught in the web of a messy scandal.

Garba-Gololo has been accused of forging his BSc and MSc degrees certificates.

According to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Garba-Gololo presented forged Bsc degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degreeS to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to contest election.

In an eight-count charge, marked: CR/012/2022, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by ICPC, the lawmaker claimed to have attended Lagos State University (LASU) where he purportedly obtained both certificates in 2002 and 2005 respectively.

Checks by The Nation show he attended Barewa College in Zaria where he obtained his West African Senior Certificate (WASC) and graduated in 1994.

Read Also: Rep who forged BSc, Masters degrees to be arraigned April 11

In 2019, a group – the Initiative for Vulnerable Women and Children (SIVWOC) – had petitioned APC warning of potential seat loss over the certificate scandals of some of Bauchi’s National Assembly candidates. Garba-Gololo was listed as one of those Bauchi candidates.

The group stated that Lagos State University had in a letter with reference number LASU/REG/STUM/147, dated 1st Nov., 2018, responded to its request for verification and authentication of the two degrees presented by Garba-Gololo in his Form CF001 in which they denied issuing the certificates and also said they had no records of him attending any of the two courses in the university.

Further checks show he had worked in the Operations Department of the National Maritime Authority (NMA). In 2015, he was elected to represent Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in the Federal House of Representatives.

His arraignment before Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya has been scheduled for April 11, where his fate would be determined.

But whatever the outcome, it is doubtful whether public figures would learn any lessons about using hook or crook means to thrust themselves into positions where they are exposed to greater scrutiny.

Aside football, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is a ready reference for altruism due to his sense of empathy towards the plight of others, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliations.

The 28-year-old winger is the most capped player in the history of Nigerian football with 104 appearances for the Eagles since his debut in 2011 against Guinea in Conakry.

As a football star, he’s changing the narrative about the art of giving and philanthropy in Nigeria.

In the past years, his acts of charity have earned the special recognition and words of gratitude from many Nigerians.

Some even likened Musa to pop star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido who unexpectedly received N200m from fans and friends and added N50million. He then donated the N250million to all orphanages across Nigeria.

Musa has a long history of kindness which he has demonstrated over and over again with his succeeding flow of humanitarian support to people and communities. He has made countless donations and also offered scholarships and other forms of help to alleviate the suffering of the needy.

Musa’s latest gesture was his intervention and show of love with the donation of N2 million to 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Kingsley Obiekwu.

Obiekwu, a member of the Atlanta ’96 Olympics Gold medal-winning Dream Team, recently opened up on his financial struggles, especially how he uses his only car for commercial transport to sustain his family.

The 47-year-old former defender fondly referred to as “Shagari” during his professional stint, played for Rangers International FC, Enugu and Udoji United.

Obiekwu has sent words of appreciation to Musa and Nigerians for their support.

On how Musa contacted him, he said: “Musa called me and said he had heard my story and that he and his teammates will do something but meanwhile, I should give him my account number and in about an hour’s time, I got an alert of N2 million, I appreciate that a lot.”

Obiekwu, who said he was forced to retire at 30 in 2004 due to health reasons, said a number of ex-internationals were passing through hard times, urging them not to be ashamed to speak out instead of dying in silence.

He advised active sportsmen and women to save and invest their earnings to avoid running into hitches when they retire.

The story of Abba Kyari, Deputy Commissioner of Police and erstwhile head of the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team, is that of a man who is in a gradual but headlong fall from grace to disgrace. All this week the story of his run-in with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was trending.

Last year, the Borno-State born police officer ran into trouble with the law, was suspended from the force and relieved from all police duties for allegedly helping convicted internationally- acclaimed fraudster, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, to launder money in America.

Amidst calls for his extradition to answer charges in the U.S, he’s been battling to prove his innocence.

Before now, Kyari had a reputation of being a “super cop” who investigated big criminal cases. He received a presidential medal of courage from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 after his team rescued three kidnapped schoolgirls in Lagos.

He was also honoured by the Lagos State government thrice with awards for gallantry between 2011 and 2013. He is known to have cracked difficult crime cases and burst several notorious criminal gangs across the country.

But in a bizarre twist , the hunter became the hunted – accused of trying to recruit fellow officers into a drug plot. In fact, investigations are ongoing to establish if truly he belongs to an international drugs cartel, authorities say.

Trouble started for Kyari last year, July 29 to be precise, when Hushpuppi, who is now convicted and awaiting sentencing in the U.S, on charges of money laundering leveled against him by the United States government, implicated him as playing some roles in an international plot to defraud a Qatari school founder. The allegation also involved the laundering of over $1.1 million in illicit proceeds.

According to court proceedings and documented evidence, a dispute among members of the crime syndicate saw Hushpuppi arranging with Kyari for one Vincent to be arrested and jailed in Nigeria. It was also established that he allegedly sent Abbas account details into which he could make payment for Vincent’s arrests and imprisonment.

Indications also emerged during the trial that Kyari allegedly travelled to Dubai at the invitation of Hushpuppi and was treated to a good time with airport pickup, luxury hotel accommodation and city tour on the bill of the notorious fraudster. Of course, the embattled DCP denied most of the allegations via his social media handles and in statements made to the various panels investigating him.

The United States Department of Justice reportedly issued a warrant of arrest and a request for Kyari’s extradition. The IGP, however, suspended him pending the report from the committee in charge of investigation.

In December 2021, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, submitted the probe panel report on Kyari to the Police Service Commission. But few weeks back, the Commission found loopholes in the report and sent it back to IGP Usman Alkali Baba for further investigation and clarity with regards to the specific indictments pointed out by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

On 14th February 2022, with Kyari’s fate still uncertain following the Commission’s decision on the report of the panel that investigated him over allegations made by Hushpuppi and the U.S court, a video clip of the suspended IRT Commander surfaced on social media where he was apparently  negotiating the release of 25kg seized cocaine, offering $61, 400 in cash.

Last Monday, hours after the NDLEA declared him wanted on suspicion of being “a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline,” Kyari was arrested alongside four other officers namely Sunday Ubuah, Bawa James, Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu , while one other officer, John Umoru, remained “at large”.

With the NDLEA accusing Kyari of allegedly claiming that he and his team had intercepted and arrested traffickers entering Nigeria from Ethiopia with 25kg of cocaine and asking an unnamed narcotic officer to be part of a plot to sell off part of the seized drug and replace with dummies, Nigerians are waiting eagerly to hear what the erstwhile celebrated cop, who is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), have to say in his defense this time.

Nigerians would be particularly keen to know what he has to say about being captured on video and audio engaging in a criminal transaction. Perhaps it was also photoshopped and the footage cloned by mischief-makers!

The elevation of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, to the rank of professor by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) continues to generate heat.

Pantami is not new to controversies. He was appointed in 2019 as a minister at the onset of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure after spending three years (2016-2019) as Director-General and CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Last year, he was in the eye of the storm after videos surfaced online showing he allegedly about a decade ago had words of fulsome praise for extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Many Nigerians called for his resignation or sack based on those statements. Although the minister later admitted making the controversial comments but said his views on such groups had since evolved and were no longer sane.

Still swimming in controversial waters, Chairman and CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, went on Twitter to accuse Pantami of preying on her and her staff by chasing them out of their office accommodation and seizing their equipment.

Now, the minister’s academic elevation is eliciting intense discourse. The row isn’t just about ‘the well-deserved promotion’ but also the claim of over 160 publications attached to it.

In September 2021, Pantami was among seven academics that were elevated by FUTO to the position of a professorship at the university’s council’s 186th meeting.

The opposing sides in Pantami’s promotion are academics and political supporters. Many scholars fault the rationale behind his professorship, arguing that he can’t be a professor since he was not a lecturer at the university. They also insist that his highest attainment before delving into politics was the position of lecturer.

As is to be expected his political supporters have risen stoutly in Pantami’s defence.

Elated by news of the promotion, the minister has since added the title of ‘Professor’ to his name. But during the week, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described the appointment as illegal.

ASUU said the review of the processes that led to Pantami’s elevation found they were against laid-down procedures within the university system.

The union also argued that the minister has no academic qualifications or certification to be promoted to such a high cadre academic position and cannot occupy different positions in two separate federal government parastatals

Reacting to ASUU’s position, FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti, said the institution’s management has gone to court over the matter.

She stated that the union has no power or right to fault the appointment of any individual to occupy any position in the varsity.

Oti insists that the school is an independent body and has the power to appoint, fire, or retire any individual in the institution.

With the matter already the subject of litigation, time will tell if ‘Professor’ Pantami has adorned borrowed robes or his grand new title is the real deal.

This week, many supporters of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, were utterly displeased and disappointed to hear about the ‘renewed’ incarceration of the agitator for another six months.

The 49-year-old agitator has spent over 200 days in Benin Republic prison.

When his counsel, Yomi Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) disclosed the information during the week, it came as a big blow to many supporters.

But this prolongation of Igboho’s detention was a negation of the announcement by the Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, who predicted not too long ago that Igboho would be released soon.

Many supporters especially in the Diaspora lamented the continuous detention of Igboho ‘without trial’.

Aliyu noted that though there are no criminal charges or extradition requests against Igboho, the Beninese government has, however, taken steps to keep Igboho in detention.

Read Also: Why Igboho’s detention was extended, by lawyer

Since Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on July 19 after he fled Nigeria when his Ibadan home was invaded by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), his extradition has been hanging in balance.

The legal battle to either extradite Igboho to Nigeria or hand him back his freedom has witnessed a series of dramatic twists and turns. The court on July 27 last year, ordered that he should be remanded in a facility in the country, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has also stated that the Federal Government will bring Igboho back to Nigeria after his prosecution in Benin Republic. Igboho who has been declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria, an allegation he denied, has been in the eye of the storm.

Commenting on Igboho’s ordeal, Malami said the case is a matter being prosecuted in a foreign country on account of his breaching laws in Benin Republic.

Recently, public figures especially celebrities in the entertainment industry who are held in high esteem by teeming fans have been subjects of public ridicule and backlash.

To many, especially celebrities, scandals and controversies are inevitable and the spice of the industry. The conspicuous display of moral challenge has become the primary spectacle of major entertainers over the years.

This week, a lot has been said since the disturbing explicit video of songwriter and singer, Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, popularly known as Oxlade, leaked online.

He, is the third Nigerian celebrity whose sex tape would leak online in three months. The release of the explicit content sent social media into a frenzy and triggered divided opinions.

Many wondered why two sane adults would record their secret amorous moment and let it come to public light in that manner? To achieve what exactly?

But some others argued that copulating is something natural but recording and uploading intentionally or unintentionally is not, except maybe for porn stars.

The 24-year-old singer became famous after his singles ”Ojuju” and ‘Away’ became monster hits.

He rose to prominence with the song “Away,” which appeared on Rolling Stone’s 50 best songs of 2020. In addition, he was featured on the song “Overdue” from ”Coming 2 America” studio album Rhythms of Zamunda, released on 5 March 2021.

Oxlade has now joined the league of celebrities with ‘leaked’ explicit content in the entertainment industry, taking over from Tiwa Savage who was caught in the web of the same scandal last year.

Many users speculated that the musician was on drugs or was under the influence of alcohol with the crazy displays in the viral videos.

While others believe it’s a marketing strategy, the explicit content just dropped a few days after releasing ‘Baddest Boy refix,’ which didn’t go viral on social media.

All is not well within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State. At the centre of the looming crisis is leader of the party Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The governor and the state chapter of PDP have been trending since last Sunday, when he caused serious consternation among politicians in the state by officially presenting Commissioner for Lands, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, as his anointed successor when his tenure expires in 2023.

Sources say the governor’s action took many leaders and chieftains of the party by surprise and “there is serious anxiety and agitation within PDP in Akwa Ibom as we speak. What happened is simply unusual. Many people think it is too brazen.”

The announcement and formal presentation of Eno by Emmanuel at a state PDP stakeholders’ meeting at Governor’s Lodge in Uyo, the state capital, ending months of speculation on who the governor may have in mind to succeed him.

But the announcement, rather than put an end to the aspirations of some of the governor’s men, has merely strengthened their resolve to fight for the ticket and in the process, confront Emmanuel himself.

Making the formal presentation of Eno to party stakeholders, former governor Obong Victor Attah who is chairman of PDP Stakeholders, said the choice of Eno to succeed Emmanuel was the best as he will seamlessly carry on legacies of the incumbent.

He added that stakeholders, comprising leading political chieftains from the three senatorial districts, were all in support of the governor’s choice of Eno and have resolved to work together to make sure he succeeds Emmanuel.

Social media commentators are also trolling over a picture of Eno kneeling down before Emmanuel. The picture emerged on the internet shortly after the controversial endorsement. Many, including clergymen within and outside the state have faulted the photograph. But it is unclear when or where the picture was taken.

Reacting to the governor’s action, PDP’s former national legal adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, said the choice of Eno came after series of consultations with relevant stakeholders and prayers to God to reveal the right individual that will continue the incumbent’s legacies.

“God has revealed to our dear Governor Udom Emmanuel that Pastor Umo Eno will be the right person to succeed him after his tenure in 2023,” he said.

But barely three hours after the public endorsement of Eno, a federal lawmaker from the state, Onofiok Luke, who represents Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, reacted defiantly saying, “my aspiration to serve the state in the capacity of the Governor remains on course.”

Luke, an ally of the governor and a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly said he totally disagrees with the way Eno was presented.

“It was at the said meeting that I heard of the agenda and choice for the first time and no one held any discussion with me prior to the meeting. My supporters and those sympathetic to my cause should please note that we are as resolute as ever in our desire to give our people purposeful leadership in the office of the governor come 2023,” he said.

Many people are worried that Emmanuel may clash with many of his political allies over his decision to back Eno.

Already a prominent religious group, Akwa Ibom Council of Ministers, has rejected the choice of Eno and described the governor’s action as an act of imposition.  Apostle Joseph Nyong, the group’s President, said Emmanuel did not “display equity and fairness in endorsing Eno. Such endorsement does not only smack of imposition and direct affront on the political will of majority of Akwa Ibom people, but it is also a clear violation of the longstanding and immutable zoning arrangements in the state.’

Time will tell if Emmanuel pulls off this uncommon anointment or gets his fingers burnt like Attah – the man who introduced Eno – who once upon a time anointed his son-in-law as successor, only to see him lose out to Godswill Akpabio – the one who would dub himself the Uncommon Transformer!

Love has turned sour for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 76 and estranged wife, Jennifer Douglas (in her 50s).  This week, the fair-complexioned erstwhile wife of the Turaki Adamawa, unexpectedly set off shockwaves when she broke silence to speak on divorcing the politician.

Prior to their separation, Jennifer had campaigned for Atiku during the 2019 elections especially across the Southeast region. She also appeared at high octane events, making her the cynosure of all eyes.

In the heat of their messy separation, the Anambra-born lawyer disclosed that the divorce was finalised on June 26, 2021.

In her lengthy statement, Jennifer said she decided to give her own account of the issue to address the various speculations trailing her efforts to get a divorce.

She chronologically highlighted the bone of contention between her and the former vice president, revealing their union broke down due to disagreements over her continued stay in the United Kingdom, amongst other long-standing issues.

According to her, she needed to play the role of a mother to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up; especially, with the passing of her older sister, who used to look after them.

She further highlighted the role of some of Atiku’s friends including Peter Okocha, Senator Ben Obi, Tunde Ayeni, Captain Yahaya, and Senator Ben Bruce who tried to mediate and stop the divorce, but their efforts failed.

Jennifer has three children for Atiku – Abdulmalik, Zahra and Faisal, and the union lasted over two decades.

Although she acknowledged being aware of his marriage to a new wife, despite not being officially informed, she said she supported Atiku’s 2019 presidential race and also invited them (her ex-husband and his new wife) to her son’s wedding in 2018.

She justified Atiku’s move to marry another wife, saying that he is a Muslim and at liberty to marry as many wives as he desires.

Jennifer, a Nigerian Television Authority News correspondent in the 1980s, claimed her life was threatened after requesting to divorce her husband. She also noted the threat made her leave the country, adding that she had to exit her law firm and sell assets in Nigeria.

She further claimed that Atiku requested to collect an asset previously given to her, adding that the property in Dubai is now a subject of litigation.

A trip down memory lane shows Atiku married Titi in 1971. In January 1979 he married Ladi. In 1983, he married his third wife, Princess Rukaiyatu. He then married Fatima his fourth wife in 1986. He reportedly divorced Ladi, allowing him to marry his now-estranged wife, Jennifer.

Now, Jennifer has opened a can of worms and set the records straight against Atiku, who is nursing a presidential ambition in 2023. Perhaps the former VP is too busy consulting to respond to his wife. One thing is clear though, the last thing he needs now is the distraction of a matrimonial drama.